I like lists….

Just one left before happy hour....

In fact, I have an app on my phone that I actually paid for to help me keep track of all my lists.  Grocery, shopping, bills, dailies, long-term…you name it.  If I plan on doin’ it, I’ve got it written down.

It helps me assess my productivity for the day, and it keeps me away from the TV, and from hanging out on Facebook all day. I’m a complete nerd, I know, but its super gratifying when I can check something off…extra gratification points if the items was a super knuckle buster.

And, when I’m at Happy Hour (probably at The Magician, LES, NYC) looking at all my checked-off stuff for the day, priding myself on being the hardest working nerd I know, I scroll to the bottom of my daily list, and check this one last thing….

[ ] pat self on back.

Here’s some of what I’m working on this month….

1.) Mix, master and release a new tune
w/ mix-master Jason Finkel, and master-master-er, Justin Shturtz (at Sterling Sound).  I’m all hush hush  about it….but you may have heard it before….maybe.

2.) Finish booking Spring tour
Lots of tour dates coming soon.  Philly, Huntington, KC, Lincoln, Chicago, Columbus, Pittsburgh are all in the bag so far….tons more in the works.

3.) NYC industry showcase / tour kickoff
Full band show (FINALLY!)

4.)  Live Wires re-release Nat’l PR push
Have some help from Dawn at The Press House with this one.  A BIG and exciting project!

Official Tour Sleeping Bag….

…..a necessity for Fall touring in the North. A few weeks later and I woulda needed a space heater for the back of the van too. But I made it…with flying colors actually!

I’m back on my couch in Brooklyn after a solid week on the road. Thanks so much for the open ears and minds! I’ll look forward to coming to see you again in the Spring!

Special thanks to those who helped me fill my tank by making donations online, buying CDs at the clubs, and pretending they didn’t notice when I raided the sample trays at Panera. You’re all the BEST friends a dude could ask for.

What’s next? I’m gonna do some recording. More on that soon….

Its like Boy Scouts….

 

Broke Boy Scouts w/ Gas guzzlin' vans.

….selling something to raise money for something else.  Its what the recorded music business is coming back to.  The monetary value of a song is approaching zero, record labels (if they aren’t going out of business) are taking touring & merch income from their artists to keep the lights on.

Unsigned (read: lucky) guys like me are learning how to wear many hats, manage careers, book shows, sell records, promote themselves.  Its an exciting and challenging time for DIY artists like myself.  I feel fortunate to be here, and more fortunate to have YOU!

I’m headed out on a short run of shows this week and could really use your help keeping gas in my tank.  If you’re feeling generous today, click the link to donate!

http://aaronzimmer.chipin.com/fill-my-tank-2009-fall-tour

When you do, I’ll send you:

-Copy of my new record, “Live Wires” in the mail
-Luxury Tour Tote bag in the mail (vintage 2009 Summer tour edition….extra luxurious)
-Free guest passes to any show(s) on the tour
-Unlimited free hugs.

And, I’ll see ya out there!

11.13.09: Huntington, WV
Shamrock’s Pub
Map | Official Details | Facebook Event

11.15.09: Cincinnati, OH
Stanley’s Pub
Map | Official Details | Facebook Event

11.16.09: Chicago, IL
Elbo Room (Upstairs Lounge)
Map | Official Details | Facebook Event

11.18.09: Kalamazoo, MI
Corner Bar
Map | Official Details | Facebook Event

11.19.09 Lakewood, OH
Hi-Fi Concert Club
Map | Official Details | Facebook Event (my birthday show!)

11.22.09: Pittsburgh, PA
Howler’s Coyote Cafe
Map | Official Details | Facebook Event

 

TheSixtyOne: Not the highway…well, sorta.

I came across the coolest site for music called TheSixtyOne.  Its a great way to discover new music because it puts the power of the popularity contest BACK into the hands of the music listeners, rather then big-business major labels telling us what we want to hear.  Users like you and me earn a reputation and build influence based on the stuff you listen to, like, and recommend.  From that, genre based charts are born.

Its friggin slick.

I started an artist profile and will be uploading a new tune every few days.  The T61 hotshots suggest waiting a few days between music uploads to give each song ample time to be ♥‘d and recommended.  If you decide to get involved over there, be sure ♥ to  my stuff too….but only if you dig it of course!

Check me out at TheSixtyOne here: www.thesixtyone.com/#/aaronzimmer/

Summer Tour, weeks 4-6: From Nebraska To The Ocean

Max + Relax

Hello from Rehoboth Beach, DE where I’m putting my feet up after a SOLID summer of touring my ass off.  I have one more show left back in NYC….more on that later though.  For this blog, I thought I’d share some photos of the last 3 weeks on the road – from Nebraska to the ocean.  Here we go…..

After a nice 4th of July break, I got back on the road and hauled ass through the Midwest…..Des Moines IA & Minneapolis were first up.

I drove through corn field.....

after corn field......

after endless cornfield.

300 hwy miles is fun. 500 miles sucks.

Played a show at Mars Cafe, Des Moines

Played a show at the Uptown Bar, Minneapolis, MN

Then, I went to Sheboygan, WI and after that I went to Chicago for a show at Goose Island

Goose Island. Chicago, IL

Pat flew into Chicago from NYC to ride along for the rest of the tour…..Rock & Roll vacation!

First thing's first.....

Tour Survival Kit

Then we went to The Frequency in Madison, WI for my show.

Brunch! $5 all-you-can-eat pancakes & Bud Light Cans. Madison, WI

After we were full of pancakes, beer, and Madison we went to Terre Haute, IN and did our laundry at the weirdest laundry mat in America.

The owner of this placed hated us.

Then I played at The Verve in Terre Haute.

Uhhhh

and met these nice ladies and their husbands.

After Terre Haute, we headed towards Columbus.  We took turns driving / napping.

Pat sawed a log

Me too, but I can email in my sleep cuz I'm a genius.

Once we arrived in Columbus, we….

checked out a cool record store.

caught a shave in the parking lot.....

played a show at Victorian's Midnight Cafe. Thanks to everyone who came out!!

hung out late-night style with Phil at his joint, The Treehouse.

After Columbus we went to Rochester for a Chyicken Syalad Syandwich, and a show at Boulder Coffee Co.

TVs, Jupiter One Style.

While we were clear the hell up there, we checked out Niagara Falls & Lake Erie.

blasting Canada with billion gallons a second...or something like that.

Played Cowboys & Indians on Lake Erie (no homo)

boozed with these city-council ladies.

We were supposed to go to Bennington Vermont for a show, but they cancelled, so we went to Boston early and stayed with Pat’s sister Kerri and her husband Neil.  They let us eat all their food and drink up all their beers….PLUS had 2 totally bitchin’ kids to play with.  Thanks guys!

After that, we met up with Bryn for an evening, and drank Glaucester, MA’s face off.

Paul, Bryn, Alexi....rollin' deep

The next day, after we we survived the world’s most devastating hangover, we played a show in Boston at Midway Cafe.

Last show before Brooklyn

I was proud to be an American.

After the show, we drove through the night straight to Brooklyn.  I dropped Pat off, and drove to the beach…where I’ve been ever since.   I’ve been sleeping, drinking, and beach-whaling for days now, and only quit to eat all these crabs.

many dead crabs.

and write this blog….

I’ll be back in NYC next week, and I have the FINAL show of the tour at Rockwood Music Hall on Aug 11th.  I’ll remind you!

It has been an amazing 6 weeks.  Thanks SOOOO much to everyone who came to a show, sent me an email, told a friend, bought a record,  showed the love.  Its YOU who made this deal so much fun.

See you in NYC.

Summer Tour, Week 3: Dallas, TX to Lincoln, NE

Week 3 of my Summer tour is history.  Lee and I began the week in Dallas at Opening Bell.  They have a weekly “songwriter series” hosted by the lovely Becky Middleton.  All of the performers were amazing, and we had a great in hot, stinky, sweaty Dallas.

Lee, Me, Becky, Tony, Ryan.

We were lucky enough to crash with Lee’s buddy Adam, and his son Paden.  We got a healthy dose of good sleep, long showers and MTV 2.  Thanks fellas for letting us crash!
The next day, we crawled back into the van and blasted towards Little Rock.  It was a regular old hot, sweaty mess the entire trip….until we arrived in Little Rock where it rained its ASS off.  The storms kept the locals away from the bar, we played to the bartender and a weird guy.  Sticky Fingerz is a great joint though, and the food was outta site!

didn't work

Our fingers really WERE sticky

Next, we headed toward familiar territory, good ol’ Kansas City!  We played Danny’s and had lots of good friends and family who made it out to the show.  A BIG thank you to Lorna, Ed, Kira, Shelley, Ann, Ryan, Monica, Mike, Shari, Jessi, Melissa & Victor for making the night amazing!

Danny's Bar in KC

High School Reunion: Jess and that weirdo Shari!

Ryan & Monica!

From KC, we rolled into my hometown, Lincoln, NE!  I LOVE going home to play, and this time was especially great.  Old friends from highschool, college and beyond came out for the show.  A BIG thanks to Matt McKay & KFRX for helping us spread the word about the show, Gabe Nelson and Blake Kempton for being part of the night, and YOU for coming out!  I had the best time EVER!

Gabe Nelson....I forgot how good he is!

My old band: Brandon, Corey, Zack

Old Iguana's crew!

Lee's last show with me on the tour. THANKS LEE!!!

It was a TON of fun having Lee along for 10 days of the tour.  I think we drank a million beers and had a blast every second.  Lee has a full head of steam, so look out for him and his band Willis on the road soon.  Thanks a kaBillion Lee!

After the Lincoln show, I had a few days off for the 4th of July holiday.  I spent it laying low with my family.  Nichole even flew in from NYC…..it was a much needed and amazing break from the road.

I wrote the book on professional tube riding.

Got schooled on van maintenance

played with a baby

spent some QT with my favorite thing ever....not the drink stupid!

Its GOOD to be in the Midwest!  I have a few more days here, then I’m working my way back East.

Summer Tour: Week 2 Wrap up

Hello again from somewhere on a Texas Interstate.  We’ve had an adventurous week here in the South.  Plenty of good stuff, a little bad, and the perfect amount of weirdness.  Check it out……

My good buddy Lee Bowes (of Willis? fame) from Lincoln, NE joined me for ten days of the tour.  He’s been playing with me, and also performing his own set in select cities.  I picked him up at the Nashville airport, we loaded his gear in the van, and we blasted down the highway.

LNK --> BNA

My new friends from Bowling Green showed up for the Nashville show at The Basement, but they couldn’t get in cuz they’re youngins.  Sorry Magnolia!

Lee, Kyle, Me, Magnolia, Elliot, Alex

We hung with them outside, and then ran into play our set at Mike Grime’s “New Faces” night.  Mike (they call him Grimey) is a stand up dude with with a healthy love for people and music…and he has a dope record store above the venue.  Thanks Mike!

After we got done playing, we bellied up to the bar and guzzled Tuaca with Jeff, the bartender.  He poured em deep and often.

Jeff is an actual Pirate/Bartender

We decided to hit up Broadway in Nashville to listen to some music, but I fell asleep at the bar.

Jeff's Fault.

We crashed in the van, and in the morning, got some good old-fashioned truckstop diner hangover medicine….and hauled ass to Memphis.

Thanks for the headache Jeff!

Nothing extraordinary about the Memphis show to report.  But, Beale Street is amazing.  Check out these bitchin’ goats:

Baaa a-a-a-a-a

The next day, we drove ALL day to get to Covington, LA for a show at The Green Room.  We had a great time there, played with some great dudes, and met some great people.  Thanks Jack for having us!  Thanks Anastasia for coming out, and for bringing all of your lovely friends.

Lee & I, plus Jack & his band, plus a coupla other yahoos.

Oooh, and as if it wasn’t hot enough…..On the way to the show it rained while the sun was still out.  And, when the humidity level rose to the occasion, Lee and I actually sweated our asses completely right off.  Thanks Mother Nature!

sun & rain

Next up, Pascagoula, MS.  We played at a joint near the shipyards called the Celtic.  A pile of sailors on leave, plus the drink special (see below) made for an interesting evening.

$10 and you drink till you pass out.

Then we met Thomas.  He was very eager to sing “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, who had died that day.  I happened to know that tune, and he assured us that he was the world’s best singer.  So, we set up a mic and let him role.

I was amazed by the sound of his voice.

Here I am, about to be amazed

Lee took a video of his performance which I post on a later blog.  But, you won’t believe your ears!  And, after we quit laughing, we loaded up for Austin.

Our new friends Keith and Susan were gracious enough to let us stay with them.  The van needed some work on the alternator, so Keith helped us fix it.  Thanks Keith!!

Keith knows everything about motors: Vans AND airplanes.

After that, he took us over to Travis Lake for a spin on his boat!

Keith let me drive while Lee watched for whales.

After that, we shot over to the venue.  I had laryngitis, no voice.  So I couldn’t perform.  But Lee pulled out a super-long set, plus Keith & his friend Jordan played some tunes.  I sat back, listened, and hung with my old college friend Sarah.

Lee sang Elvis influenced versions of Johnny Cash.

Keith & Jordan from 5DM....coupla badasses.

My friend Sarah from Austin. See you in Lincoln too!

Summer Tour: Week 1 is in the bag

Hello from Nashville!  I’m here at the airport waiting for my good buddy Lee Bowes to arrive from Lincoln, NE.  More on that later…..

I am one week into my Summer tour, and couldn’t be having more fun.  The shows have been great, and I’m meeting LOTS of colorful and amazing folks.

First stop was at the Bitter End in NYC (home for me).  I performed with the NY Songwriter’s Circle.

Bitter End. NYC

I was in Harrisonburg, VA and played at Finnigan’s Cove.  Next time you’re there, order the Tuna Steak…it is delicious.  A BIG thanks to Randi at KISS FM for plugging the show and giving away CDs.

Harrisonburg, VA. Finnigan's Cove

Next up was Shamrock’s in Huntington, WV.  Cool Roadhouse type joint with LOTS of locals hanging around….and drinking.  Met lots of great folks and heard a lot of great music.  Thanks Shawn & Ian for having me!

Left me off the marquee. Boo!

That's Darrell, and thats me having a bad hair day.

Meet Shawn - he owns the place, and gave me lots of booze, and offered to take me to breakfast....to a place Tooters. Gross.

The next day, I was off to Bowling Green KY.  On the way, I drove by this Castle.  I think Sting lives there or something.

A castle in KY?

I arrived in Bowling Green for my show at Greener Groundz.  Its a tiny little place with no PA or lights.  They DO make a good Turkey sandwich though, and everyone there was really nice.  Thanks so much to Magnolia, Amelia, Anna & Elliot for hanging out (Sorry I forgot to get a picture with you guys) AND to Andrea and her 2 friends, AND to the tie-die lady for the free grub AND to Molly for the free booze and sandwich!

Greener Groundz. Bowling Green, KY

sweet setup

Thanks Amanda and friends for coming!

Today, I have a day off….no show. Lee Bowes (from a band called Willis from Lincoln, NE) is joining me on the tour for the next 10 days.  He’ll be playing alongside me as well as playing his own set in a few select cities.

Next up – Hotel checkin, REAL shower, REAL nap, rehearsal and then another one of those big Whiskey’s at Red Door East.

Summer Tour Begins Today!

I have my bags all packed and my shoes tied tight…..I cannot wait to see you!
-A

SUMMER 2009 SOLO/ACOUSTIC US TOUR
6.15.09	New York, NY @ The Bitter End (w/ the NY Songwriter’s Circle) RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.16.09	Philadelphia, PA @ Tritone RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.18.09	Harrisonburg, VA @ Finnigan’s Cove RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.19.09	Huntington, WV @ Shamrock’s RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.20.09	Bowling Green, KY @ Greener Groundz RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.22.09	Memphis, TN @ The Buccaneer RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.23.09	Nashville, TN @ The Basement RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.25.09	Pascagoula, MS @ The Celtic RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.27.09	Austin, TX @ The Thirsty Nicke RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.28.09	Houston, TX @ Bohemio’s RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.29.09	Dallas, TX @ Opening Belle Coffeehouse RSVP: facebook | myspace
6.30.09	Little Rock, AR@ Sticky Fingerz RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.01.09	Kansas City, KS @ Danny’s Bar & Grill RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.02.09	Lincoln, NE @ Knickerbockers RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.06.09	Iowa City, IA @ The Picador RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.07.09	Minneapolis, MN @ Uptown Bar RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.08.09	Des Moines, IA @ Mars Cafe RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.09.09	Sheboygen, WI @ Paradigm Coffee RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.10.09	Chicago, IL @ Goose Island RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.12.09	Madison, WI @ The Frequency RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.14.09	Terre Haute, IN @ The Verve RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.15.09	Columbus, OH @ Victorian’s Midnight Cafe RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.17.09	Rochester, NY @ Boulder Coffee Co RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.18.09	Bennington, VT @ Knapps Underground RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.20.09	Jamaica Plain, MA @ Midway Cafe RSVP: facebook | myspace
7.22.09	Harrison, NY @ Brentwood Inn RSVP: facebook | myspace
8.11.09	New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall RSVP: facebook | myspace

The Queen Anne’s Revenge

My van has a new transmission thanks to you, and a new name thanks to Jenny in NYC. Everyone, meet The Queen Anne’s Revenge!

HELP!!!!!

I’ll be on tour this summer…about 30 US cities. I just bought a tour van and today the transmission blew out. To fix it, and to keep my tour dates, I need $1500 (for a complete transmission rebuild).

Please find it in your heart to make a small donation….every dollar helps. In return, every donation gets:

- a hug
- a free digital download of my new record “Live Wires”
- a ride to/from any show on my tour.
- the satisfaction of helping an actual charity *

* I’ll also be donating 50% of this tour’s proceeds to crashprevention.org, a non-profit dedicated to lowering vehicle crashes and injuries on US roads.

I need and love your support. Please forward this to your friends, retweet, share on Facebook, etc. I can’t thank you enough! I’ll look forward to seeing you on the road this summer.

CLICK HERE TO HELP!!!!

HELP ME NAME MY VAN

Help Me Name My Van

I’m on tour this summer and the only thing between me and you is 10k miles of highway, 588 gallons of unleaded, and a large, but unknown amount of truck-stop coffee.  To get there, I bought this.  Its an 1986 Chevy G20 conversion van with a V8, mag rims, shitty venetian blinds and a functional sink in the back.

The only thing its missing are some fuzzy dice in the rear view, and of course….NAME.

Leave a comment with your best van name.  Winner gets a ride to/from a show of your choice on tour this summer…plus a Big-Gulp full of your favorite soda and my undying gratitude.

Tour dates are here: http://www.aaronzimmer.com

Retro Rollin’

I don’t know what this thing is…..but I LIKE it.

Flexing my DIY skills on America! (a work in progress)

It it my opinion that I am one of independent music’s more efficient Do-It-Yourself-ers.  And to help prove this point (mostly to myself) I’ll be on a solo/acoustic tour, plugging my new record “Live Wires” for a good part of the summer…..all dates that I am booking/promoting myself from a van & laptop on the side of the interstate.

Here’s what I’ve got so far…

6.15: New York, NY
6.16: Philadelphia
6.17: Washington
6.19: Huntington, WV
6.20: Murfreesburo, NC
6.22: Memphis, TN
6.23: Nashville, TN
6.24: Athens, GA
6.26: Pascagoula, MS
6.29: Dallas, TX
6.30: Little Rock, AR
7.01: Kansas City, KS
7.02: Lincoln, NE
7.06: Iowa City, IA
7.07: Minneapolis, MN
7.08: Des Moines, IA
7.09: Sheboygen, WI
7.10: Lake Villa, IL
7.11: TBD
7.12: TBD
7.13: TBD
7.14: TBD
7.15: Columbus, OH
7.16: Cincinnati, OH
7.17: Rochester, NY
7.18: TBD
7.20: Jamaica Plain, MA
7:21: Collinsville, CT
7.22: Pawtucket, RI
7.23: Asbury Park, NJ

Lots more dates and info coming soon!

Butch Walker: Maxwells in Hoboken, NJ

So Good.

Meyer Sound’s ‘Spotlight Sessions’, Nashville, TN

At my gate, JFK

I was in Nashville the last 2 days for an industry showcase called “Spotlight Sessions”, sponsored by Meyer Sound. It was held at an amazing complex called Soundcheck Studios.

Heading up the event was sound-guy extraordinaire, Buford Jones. You probably haven’t heard of Buford before, but he’s been making bands like Pink Floyd, Clapton, George Harrison, Prince and Skynyrd sound good live since the 70s.  Besides whipping ass at making stuff sound good, he’s a great guy with LOTS of cool stories.

Needless to say, I was excited to roll into town and get started…..

I arrived on Wednesday to rehearse with a new band comprised of local session players and technical crew who were nothing short of breathtaking.  We ran my tunes as a band while Buford, Lee and Matt set levels and got us sounding good.

Ladd Smith, guitar

Anton Nesbitt, Bass

Marcus Finnie

Roger Ryan, keys

Mike-e, guitar

Buford Jones (w/ Roger Ryan), Front of House Mixer

Lee Moro, Live Recording Engineer

Matt, Monitor Mixer

Once all that was done, I checked into my hotel, and headed towards downtown Nashville for a drink or two.  I ended up at this seedy little dive in 5 Points called Red Door East.  Buy 1 / Get 1 BPR Tallboys plus gallon jugs of whiskey….delicious.

a lotta whiskey....Lynchburg, TN style

Somewhere in there, I dropped my camera at the bar.  I went back looking for it, and amazingly, the bartender had kept it for me.   She also graciously took this self portrait for me to remember her good deed.

Thanks Barkeep!

I was up and at em early Thursday AM for one more rehearsal, a ton of catered pizza and cupcakes (Thanks Rick), and a lot of waiting around.  By 7pm, we were ready to ROCK!  In walked the Music Industry fatcats, and the show began.  I snapped these from backstage before the show started….

Backstage before the show

Backstage before the show

Backstage before the show

After we played, I got to meet all the great folks that had come to the showcase.  Meyer Sound catered in more food and booze, so I stuffed my face while giving away CDs and promo stuff.

And by midnight, I was finally back in my hotel room.  I packed my stuff, caught a few hours of sleep, and was on the 6am flight back to NYC this morning.

A truly fantastic trip!  Thanks a MILLION to Lorna, Steve and Nichole for helping me get from A to B.  Ladd, Mike, Roger, Marcus & Anton for sounding awesome.  Buford, Lee and Matt for making us sound awesome.  And, a special thanks to Buford (again) Paul and Rick for making the event happen and allowing me to be involved.

Video Podcast: Episode 09

Happy VD

Try not to pick at it.

Video Podcast: Episode 08

Just like Johnny Cash did….

Except, rather then Memphis, I’m going to Nashville. And rather then moving (I like NYC just fine, thanks) I’m only going there for a day.

Looks like I’ll be redeye-ing in and out to perform at an industry showcase for Meyer Sound; complete with a backing band of the Country-Music-Capital’s finest studio badasses.

Viva La (Nash)Vegas baby!

“Live Wires” OUT NOW!

 

"Live Wires" 2009 LP

My new record, “Live Wires” is FINALLY available now!  Buy it at CDBABY or iTunes

Guest Blogging at The Round Table

Happy Holidays!

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be the “Guest Blogger” over at The Round Table.  Does this mean I cheated..on…..myself?

http://theround-table.blogspot.com/

Oh how I love your Turnpike

 

 

Discmakers, Pennsauken, NJ

 

 

Blasted down to Discmakers in Camden, NJ….actually Pennsauken (Camden’s frightened little sister) to pick up the first batch of ‘Live Wires’ CDs.

Special thanks to Camden: for not killing me.
Krystin: for lending me her bitchin’ wheels.
Wawa: for delicious pretzels and fountain soda.

See you at the Annex on Jan 17th!

Video Podcast: Episode #5

Its a date….

Live Wires Album Launch Party, NYC.

SICKamore Meadows

3 passes, and I’m buggin….amazing record.  Excited to hear these LIVE this Friday in NYC.

 

Butch Walker, Sycamore Meadows

God Bless America

Just when I think I’m feelin’ alright…..

“Live Wires” album launch set for NYC

The album launch party here in NYC is set!  More info is coming very soon, but it’ll be at a great venue, with 3 of my favorite bands in the city.  TONS of stuff happening!  More to come!  Happy Friday!  Go Barack!

"Live Wires" coming Jan 2009

Mastering “Live Wires”

 

I was in North Haledon, NJ all day today for a mastering session with Ed Littman.  We did the whole record in one sitting, and I’m happy to say that “Live Wires” is officially……FINISHED.  More soon….but check Ed Littman out at www.edlittmanmastering.com.

The Word According to Ed

 

 

 

Last Minute Check-List

Yesterday was my LAST day in the studio for “Live Wires”.  After a year and a half of work, we are finally just days from being finished.  I swung in yesterday to do some quick vocal overdubs, a mandolin part (had to borrow one…gorilla glue didn’t work on mine) and a wurlitzer part.

Pictures taken by Nichole Green 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nut Busting

 

Sunnuva!

Opened up the case to my trusty old mandolin to find it with a broken nut.  I need it tomorrow for a session and all the string shops are closed today (Sunday).

Time to bust out the Gorilla Glue!

Dominobama

I like sugar as much as the next guy, but this seems like a better use of red lights on the Brooklyn waterfront.

Happy birthday John

Lennon would be 68 today

Point & Click

I was in a photoshoot yesterday for a new Eco-Friendly clothing company called Pureplay Clothing. On the shoot with me was my good buddy John Mazlish. He’s an amazing photographer and a lot of fun to work with. Check out his work at http://www.johnmazlish.com.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

They actually DO clean the subways in NYC. Who knew…..

Videocast Episode #3

Subscribe for FREE via iTunes by CLICKING HERE

I am lazy

I did this all day…..

From the studio….

Another day in the recording studio….today we are tracking guitars and bass for a tune called “False Alarm” along with a few other things.

I have a great acoustic guitar (a Gibson J-200 custom) that is my pride and joy. But today, it won’t stay in tune…needs a setup badly and all the NYC repair shops are closed for the holiday.

So we’re borrowing an old Martin acoustic…mid-sixties D38 from a friend of Christian’s named Louis Atlas. Check him out at www.louisatlas.com. He has a record coming out too. Thanks Louis, your guitar plays great!

Love jumping through hoops?

Q104.3 FM here in NYC has just added my tune "Therapy" to their online roster of "New Music". The more spins it gets, the higher in the online charts it goes….blah blah blah.

Anyway, they sent me this link to pass along to YOU. All it is though, is a random add, and then my song plays. I guess when someone clicks this, it adds a "spin" and move up in the ranks….or something like that.

So, if you have a minute you don’t mind donating, CLICK HERE, watch the stupid commercial, listen to my tune and feel good about helping a dude out.

I’ll luv u longtime.

For more about Q104 check out their website at www.q1043.com. Oh,and Happy Labor Day….I hope you’re taking a load off.

Political Suicide

 

mmmmm, naw....

Some friends of mine were talking this weekend….and I’ve been trying to wrap my non-political mind around this ever since. And I know there has been a mountain of dialog about this subject, but this thought is simple and to the point:

If John McCain wins the presidential election and then dies sometime during his term (he is 70yrs old), then our nation would be led by someone who has 1 year of executive experience (running the country’s least populated state). Right?

It seems like, even for a Republican voter, that casting your vote for McCain/Palin is a terrible mistake. Will republicans really roll the dice like that?

From JSM Studios (videocast episode #2)

Article at Indie Sounds NY

 

Live in NYC. Photo by Lauren Jonik

The nice folks at indiesoundsny.com wrote wrote an article about yours truly.  Check it out online at BY CLICKING HERE or you can puck up a copy everywhere in the city.

 

Thanks to Lauren and everyone at Indie Sounds NY for all the kind words.

It’s Even Worse Than We Thought….

kill me

We all know that the music “business” is in a real heap of shit, but man…to open up my mailbox today and see THIS on the cover of THAT. I can’t believe my eyes.

I get it….these girls are selling something (lately, apparently) that is more valuable than music. But, THIS is the mag that made Hunter S Thompson famous. The magazine that put Lennon on the cover naked with Yoko.

To Jann Wenner, I say….WTF?

From The Studio (videocast episode 01)

NE-Extended Stay

Beggars & Thieves recording in Nebraska circa 1995

I’ve been in Nebraska for almost the entire month of February, and while here, I’ve been lucky enough to reconnect with old friends, bartenders, and in particular, old band mates.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to write, perform and record with great people that possess even greater talents. It has been amazing this month to sit down with some of them and talk about music again like we did in high school.

 

The photo, from left: Shaun Lightcap, yours truly, my older brother Loren, and Gabe Nelson. Recording an EP with my high school band….I think at that time, we were called Beggars & Thieves (we changed the name a lot). My brother engineered. On Monday, its back to the big city….

Meet The Generals

 

Buy 1 / Get 1

he Pyramid Recording Sessions are done and this is what we have to show for ourselves. Meet The Generals….

Josh Dion: drums
Pat Dougherty: bass
Pat Firth: organ & rhodes
Sarah Versprille: vocals
Daniel Hindman: electric guitar
Arthur Lynn: electric guitar & slide
Yours Truly: electric & acoustic guitar, vocals.

All of these folks are amazing players & people. Check Dion, Firth, Sarah & Dan out at www.joshdionband.com, Arthur at www.angiescreams.com and my good friend Pat Dougherty at www.pjdo.com

Anyway, I’m calling this record “Buy 1 / Get 1″ and it should be available at places like iTunes really soon. For now, check it out here at Myspace.

Hope ya dig…..

 

BUY THIS AT: CDBaby or iTunes

They call it a what?

 

I got the bird

A ditch….tattooers call the crease between your bicep and your forearm a ditch. Its supposedly a painful spot to get tattooed, and for whatever reason, I’ve always been a little scared to get any work in that spot.

Until now.

Over Thanksgiving, I went to my old shop in Nebraska (Ironbrush Tattoo in Lincoln) to conquer my fear. They’re right….it DOES hurt in that spot.

They say though, that the elbows hurt the most…..we’ll see.

Studio Time

 

Jason Finkel @ Pyramid Studios in NYC.

Aside from my normal recording schedule (for a record I have coming out next year), I decided to take on a different project with NYC producer/engineer Jason Finkel. We’ve been working at Pyramid Studios in Midtown.